Improvement in electric



E. J. FROST & G. A. LAWRENCE.

ELBGTRIG GAS LIGHTER.

Patented Aug. 8, 1865.

Wzwsses a WASMNGJIQN n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. FROST AND GEORGE A. LAWRENCE, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

IMPROVEMENTYIN ELECTRIC- GAS-LIGHTERS...

..;pec1hc3fi0n forming part of Letters Patent No. 19,254, dated August 8,1865; antedntcd July 24, 1865.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDWARD J. Faosr and GEORGE A. LAWRENCE, of Springfield, Hampden county, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Electric Gas- Lighter; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front view; Fig. 2, a side elevation, and Fig. 3 a cross-section, showing the valveyand Fig. 4, a side view of thevalve.

The object of my invention is to obtain an economical apparatus by means of which a large number of gas-lamps may be lightedat the same time by means of an electric current.

To the ordinary gas pipe and burner A, I attach a peculiar form of valve, D, andthe mechanism for opening and closing the same, consisting of two helices, B G, wound on the bobbins E E, concentric with which is a bar of soft iron, G, playing in guides a a, attached to the cross-piece b, which is secured to the post.

The bar or cylinder G, is arranged withthe two ends turned down very small where they pass through the guides and the parts d d on each side of the center larger for some distance, and so arranged in regard to length that one of these parts (I d shall be inside of the bobbin, while the otheris between the two and nearly outside of the other. Connected with this piece is'the lever e, which is attached at the other end to the valve D. This valve is formed of the frustum of a cone, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, with a part of the metal turned off so that it bears only at the two ends, and, when closed,over the opening through which the gas flows. These bearings m m are hardened and ground to insure an accurate tit, and the valve is mounted on the screwcenters 9 g, which are secured inthe yoke H, fastened to the pipe. These centers are also hardened and support the valve, so that the only friction is between them and the hardened ends of the valve D; also, whatever wear there may be between the valve and socket which would produce leakage is overcome by loosening the screw 9 and setting up g.

which form a part of the same circuit. In

practice, however, only two wires will be needed, as in both cases the pipe maybe used as one part of the circuit, as will be seen in the description of the operation, which is as follows:

We will suppose the gas to be shut off and the mechanism in the position shown in the drawings. 1n orderto open the valve and light the gas, the wires 11. a are connected with the battery, so that the current passes over the wire or, around the helix B, and back to. the battery over n, thus completing the circuit and forming an electro-magnet of the coil B. This attracts into its center the cylinder G until the part d becomes central with it, thus, by means of the lever e, connected with G, opening the valve D and letting on the gas; also,

the current flows on over the wire 0 and across the small wire p between the poles s s to the wire 0, and back to the battery. In passing over the wire 1 suificient heat is produced to ignite the gas. It will be seen that by this means the gas is let on before the current produces the heat at the burner which ignites the gas, and thus a light is always sure as soon as suflicient heat is generated to ignite the gas. The wires 12. n are now disconnected from the battery and the wires 7' r connected, so that a current is formed around 0, attracting d into its center, thus closing the valve and shutting off the gas.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of an electric magnet with a valve, D, or its equivalent, when applied to the pipe of a gas-burner and operated by means of the axial bar G, as set forth.

2. The valve D, as described, when used in combination with the axial bar G or its equiw alent, substantially as described.

EDWARD J. FROST. GEORGE A. LAWRENCE. Witnesses:

J B. GARDINER, MILTON BRADLEY. 

